day 92: camp @ siyazakha

today was amazing! we finished up our last day of camp strong with a great turn out - 89 kids showed up. although it drizzled some at first, it turned into an absolutely gorgeous day!

we ended the day watching the sunset  on camps bay beach! :)
"perfect ending!"

today i was overwhelmed by what seemed like a large number of sick, hurting & very tired kids. many voicing physical ailments or talking about difficulties at home.

one of the activities we do with the students each day is a blind-folded "maze." we tell them before they enter in that if they would like help out, they simply need to raise their hand. we never have more than a few willing to seek help. they simply walk in circles around the room, not knowing where they are or how to escape. it's quite the lesson.

today, after going through the maze, one of my girls kept catching my eye. she didn't speak very good english though she could understand it pefectly. come to find out, she eventually mustered up both the language & the courage to reach out for help. she shared with us about some very difficult experiences at home. we were able to connect her with xhosa pastor "b" who was there today. he talked with her further, got the full story & assured her that he would do what he could. although no promises could be made, she now has someone constant in her life to walk through this with. praise the Lord for these continual connections between xhosa youth & national Christian leaders in their communities who are stepping up at CRUCIAL moments in these students lives. you have no idea how much of an answer to prayer it is!!

after camp, this little girl "t" said "i love you" & asked if i could go home with her. as much as stories like these break our hearts, we must remember why we are here. we are not the Savior. PRAY we are able to connect these students to nationals who can continually pour into them & point them to the true Father & Savior who will never leave, abandon or abuse them! PRAY they come to understand this world is not our home! i was so encouraged to see pastor "b" drive her home today!!

at the end of the day, 54 students indicated decisions for Christ & 32 desire follow up. thank you for PRAYing alongside of us. the work has only just begun!

a few more days with the team from SC here. tomorrow we paint 4 classrooms at one of the schools!
be on the lookout for a photo album on facebook of more photos from this week!